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The Jessamine County School Board met on Tuesday, May 30 for a work session and a regular meeting where it heard the results of iReady testing and celebrated students and staff.

At the board’s work session, Chief Academic Officer Hannah Campbell announced K-8 iReady performance data in math and reading from spring testing. This recent performance data was also compared to performance data from iReady testing in November.

Campbell said that she is “excited about our reading data. We feel very on track with reading right now.”

The district is doing so well, Campbell said, that people who work for iReady at the national level are asking Campbell what Jessamine County Schools is doing to achieve these scores.

Overall, the data shows that the reading performance growth data is on the right track. The recent test scores show a much better performance overall than the fall testing results.

In comparison to Kentucky school districts similar to Jessamine County’s, the district is one of the higher-performing schools. While still just under the high-performing Laurel and Pulaski counties, Jessamine County shows higher scores than Kentucky state and national scores.

In math, Campbell said she’s not unhappy with the scores, but she isn’t happy, either. There is room for improvement, but the recent iReady scores have still improved from the district’s fall scores.

The elementary schools have progressed well from the fall results, and middle schools in the district have made a lot less progress, but their improvements are “ok,” Campbell said.

Jessamine County Schools still scored higher than national scores and Kentucky-wide scores but still have not improved as much as reading scores.

Campbell said that in the upcoming year, the district is investing a lot in math to focus on improving those skills.

Celebrations

At the regular meeting, the Board celebrated teachers and students, approved donations, and approved action items including one regarding hiring practices.

Pattie Elliot, administrative assistant at West Jessamine High School won the KASA Office Professional Award. This is a state-wide award granted to an individual who is considered the pulse of the office, resourceful, committed, and positive.

Superintendent Matt Moore recognized Elliot for her years of service at West Jessamine High School.

The Board also recognized local high school students who participated in DECA, a competitive business and marketing group.

The Jessamine County DECA chapter went to state competitions, regionals, and even international competitions in Orlando, Florida against students from America, South Korea, Canada and more.

The Board approved $130,000 in grants to the district from multiple donors including Howard Downing, The Rotary Club, Brother’s Run Foundation, Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy, Sgt. Seth Mulcahy Scholarship Award, Marine Solutions and Brookside Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization.

Finally, the board approved a few action items to wrap up the meeting. Most notable of these items are people without GEDs being able to work as Food Service Workers at any Jessamine County Schools. GED programs will still be offered to workers, but completing the program is not required.